Airman says he felt he had to shoot charging moose

ANCHORAGE — A 26-year-old airman says he had to shoot a moose charging at his group at Denali National Park and Preserve.

According to the Anchorage Daily News (http://is.gd/9xqb0X ), Air Force Staff Sgt. Bob Sirvid says he regrets the moose’s death but believes it have been worse if he allowed the animal to stomp him or the children and adults with him.

Sirvid says he’s never fired a weapon in combat and has an Air Force job controlling mosquitoes and other pests.

He is the first visitor at Denali to kill a moose since Congress allowed guns in national parks in 2010.

The National Park Service has ruled the June 6 shooting justified.

Sirvid was with friends from Illinois, Mark and Becky Diorio, and their two children when the moose charged.